by Dan Rua…just a VC, living vicariously thru entrepreneurs…

FVCC Day 1: VC Adventures on Land & Sea

The first day of the Florida Venture Capital Conference typically involves investor activities, and this year was no exception. It started with a 4-person team scramble golf tourney at the Renaissance Vinoy Resort Course and ended with an investor cocktail cruise.

You couldn’t have asked for a better day for golf — not a cloud in the sky and moderate temps throughout the tourney. Although we didn’t score the best, I lucked out with a great team of Louie Laubscher, Kathy Strother and Mark Patten. Everyone did their part, but I have to toss a golden Kangarua Mark’s way — the guy won longest drive AND closest to the pin. How’s that for distance and accuracy? However, our team didn’t place in the money, so you can guess how much support Mark got from the rest of us. Regardless, it was good seeing everyone and an enjoyable day on the course.

The evening brought an investor-only night cruise. I note “investor-only” because more than one entrepreneur highlighted that point when I asked what they were doing tonight. I would provide a “behind the curtain” blow-by-blow of what transpired on the super-secret cruise, but, alas, I wasn’t on it. After being told the yacht cocktails started at 7pm and it would depart the dock at 9pm, I got some lobby laptop work done until 8pm. Within seconds of putting my laptop away for a leisurely stroll to the yacht, I saw it start a slow float away. I literally missed my boat.

I’m sure it was a great evening, capping off a great first day of the 2008 Florida Venture Capital Conference. At least I hope it was…I understand some of the cigars being passed around were $1,600 per box!?!?

About

Thanks for stopping by. In case we haven't met before, I'm Dan Rua, Managing Partner of Inflexion Partners, an early-stage venture capital fund based in Florida and focused on the Southeast US. Prior to Inflexion I was a partner with Draper Atlantic, DFJ's first east coast fund based in Northern Virginia. Prior to that I co-founded an email software company and was an engineer with IBM's Networking Software Labs in RTP, NC.

This blog is for sharing stories and discussing entrepreneurs, venture capital, technology, and Florida -- particularly when I can provide perspective unique from the typical Boston (B) or Silicon Valley (S) view. Inflexion is my third fund and all my funds have focused on building world-changing companies in regions outside the BS...